CDH1 loss promotes diffuse-type gastric cancer tumorigenesis via epigenetic reprogramming and immune evasion

Diffuse-type gastric adenocarcinoma (DGAC) is a deadly cancer often diagnosed late and resistant to treatment. While hereditary DGAC is linked to CDH1 gene mutations, causing E-Cadherin loss, its role in sporadic DGAC is unclear. We discovered CDH1 inactivation in a subset of DGAC patient tumors. Analyzing single-cell transcriptomes in malignant ascites, we identified two DGAC subtypes: DGAC1 (CDH1 loss) and DGAC2 (lacking immune response). DGAC1 displayed distinct molecular signatures, activated DGAC-related pathways, and an abundance of exhausted T cells in ascites. Genetically engineered murine gastric organoids showed that Cdh1 knock-out (KO), Kras, Trp53 KO (EKP) accelerates tumorigenesis with immune evasion compared to Kras, Trp53 KO (KP). We also identified EZH2 as a key mediator promoting CDH1 loss-associated DGAC tumorigenesis. These findings highlight DGAC's molecular diversity and potential for personalized treatment in CDH1-inactivated patients.